POLITICS
Tributes Pour for Fallen Pan-Africanism Hero, Magufuli, From African Leaders
African leaders showered the fallen Tanzanian President, John Pombe Magufuli, with tributes on Thursday, extolling his ideals as a consummate Pan-Africanist.
African Heads of State, the African Peace and Security Council and the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, all sent in tributes, mourning the Tanzanian leader, who died from heart-related complications on Wednesday.
The AU PSC paid tribute to the memory of President Magufuli and extended its condolences to the Government and people of Tanzania during a ministerial meeting, chaired by Kenya’s Foreign ministry Cabinet Secretary, Rachel Omamo.
The AU organ, tasked with ensuring continental security, described Tanzania under President Magufuli’s leadership as a “great pan-African nation.”
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, said: “I am terribly saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and brother President Magufuli. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Government and People of Tanzania.”
President Ndayishimiye described President Magufuli as a great leader and a true Pan-Africanist. President Magufuli was at the forefront of ensuring zero-tolerance to corruption and fought the malaise and laziness in public service.
During his reign, he took steps to improve public infrastructure. The Tanzanian President also took steps to stop the wanton grabbing of the African mineral resources by seeking to rationalise contracts for the exploitation of minerals in Tanzania.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, Chairman of the Pan African Lawyers Association, mourned President Magufuli as a patriot who was committed foremost to the service of his country.
Obegolu remembered President Magufuli’s campaign against corruption and the illicit financial flows from Africa and his efforts to ensure efficiency in public service.
African Union Commission President Mousa Faki Mahamat said the African Union family was united in grief with the Government and people of Tanzania following the untimely death of President Magufuli.
“Africa has lost a champion of regional cooperation in the East African region and a committed Pan Africanist leader. May he rest in peace,” Faki said in a tweet.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda said he was saddened by the loss of “my brother and friend.” He said President Magufuli’s contribution to his country and to the East African region will not be forgotten. “My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Tanzania. The people of Rwanda stand with Tanzania during this difficult time,” President Kagame said.
In Kenya, the government declared seven days of mourning for the late Tanzanian leader. Despite what appeared to be frosty relations between Kenya and Tanzania, which often resulted into frequent import and export bans between the two countries, President Magufuli often struck a cordial tone and comradeship with Kenya.
“I have lost a friend, a colleague and a visionary ally with whom I worked closely,” President Uhuru Kenyatta said.
At home, President Magufuli, a devout Christian, often showed compassion and was often seen to embrace peasants in public. He showered those he was able to meet with gifts whenever they caught his attention in a true show of servant leadership.
Kenya’s Third President, Mwai Kibaki, 87, said it was with utter sadness that he acknowledged receipt of the news of the demise of the President of Tanzania.
“To his family, friends and Tanzania and East Africa at large, I convey my message of condolence and pray for the Almighty God’s comfort as we as all come to terms with this irredeemable bereavement,” President Kibaki said.
As a symbol of respect, the Kenyan flag and that of the EAC will be flown at half mast until sunset on the day of the funeral. (PANA/NAN)
VAO
From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday charged newly inaugurated members of the Osun Central Senatorial District Accord Campaign Committee for Aare Ganiyu Olaoluwa Asejere to deploy their experience and political networks for effective grassroots mobilization, wider public engagement, and strong support for Aare Asejere.
Governor Adeleke gave this charge while speaking at the official Inauguration of the Osun Central Senatorial District Accord Campaign Committee for Aare Ganiyu Olaoluwa Asejere, at Adebimpe event hall, adjacent Osogbo City Stadium, along Ikirun Road,Osogbo.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi said, the campaign council committees should intensify grassroots mobilization from now till Election Day.
Governor Adeleke admonished entire people of Osun Central Senatorial district to see themselves as one and remain under the umbrella of the Accord while they should continue to demonstrate their unalloyed love and support for Aare Asejere for him to emerge as the next Senator for the area in January 2027.
“I am appealing to you all my dear people to extend the same love you gave me in the just concluded Governorship election in Osun State to Alhaji Asejere in the forthcoming election as he must be in the Red Chamber by January 2027 by the power of the Almighty God” Governor Adeleke stressed.=
Yeye Dupe Adeleke Sanni, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun and a current Commissioner in Osun, Hon Bunmi Jenyo, while inaugurating the committee, charged them to be up and doing and work towards the victory of Aare Asejere in the coming election.
“The committee should make sure our Accord candidate for Osun Central Senatorial district wins the Senatorial election to the Senate as Aare Asejere’s Senatorial ambition is a round peg in a round hole towards the development and betterment of the people”.
The Chairman of the Campaign Committee and Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as well as the Director-General of the Asejere Campaign Committee and the incumbent Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, while speaking congratulated Aare Asejere in advance saying, nothing will stop his emergence as Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial district in the coming election by God’s Grace and people’s support.
Also the Osun Accord Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande enjoyed the newly inaugurated committee for the emergence of Aare Asejere to see the assignment as a task which they should not take with levity.
“Our man, Aare Asejere has been tested, he has never been found wanting, he’s a man of his word and he is a complete grassroots politician who loves to develop people, let us join hands together and support his ambition”, Pastor Akande said.
Responding, Aare Asejere who was highly elated for seeing large numbers of people from far and near promised not to let the people of Osun Central Senatorial district down, adding that he will ensure he involves the whole people in his performance while his representation will be meaningful.
Aare Asejere once again called on the people of Osun Central to vote him in as the Senator representing the district assured that he will not fail them.
He appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke in absentia, his deputy, the SSG, Bobagunwa Igbalaiye, Oluomo Alimi, Yeye Dupe-Sanni, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Egbedun, Hon Abesin, Hon
Funso Ishola, party leaders, members of the Accord, community leaders, Iyaloja-General and her team, Oluomo Rasaki, Hon Adigun Olaide, among others.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously called for urgent and coordinated actions to protect Nigerian girls from child marriage and other harmful practices.
The call followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Rep.
Kafilat Ogbara, in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, marked every October 11th.Ogbara, while moving the motion, decried the prevalence of child marriage and other harmful practices against the girl child.
She called on government at all levels to strengthen national programmes aimed at preventing child marriage and protecting girls at risk.
The Speaker, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, in adopting the motion, also urged governments at all levels to ensure that every girl child has access to education, and quality healthcare.
The theme for the 2026 commemoration siught to reaffirm commitment to ending child marriage and upholding the fundamental rights of every girl child.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its commitment to an inclusive electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, stated this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a training programme for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tella noted that persons with one form of disability or another constitute an important segment of the society.
He said such individuals are citizens with equal rights, responsibilities, aspirations and contributions to make towards the development of the country.
He said: “The commission recognises that electoral inclusion goes beyond permitting PWDs to register and vote.
“It also involves ensuring that they have access to reliable electoral information, understand electoral procedures, can access polling units and are able to participate in other aspects of the electoral process.”
Tella said the commission would provide relevant assistive devices such as magnifying glasses, Braille guides and posters for voters with hearing impairments at polling units to give Persons with Disabilities a more pleasant voting experience on election days.
He added that INEC guidelines and regulations provide that priority should be accorded to PWDs at polling units without them having to wait in long queues during voting.
He further said that eligible PWDs would be engaged and trained as ad-hoc staff during the elections.
The REC explained that the objective of the commission was to ensure that eligible PWDs in the state were not discouraged, excluded or prevented by avoidable barriers from exercising their franchise during the elections.
He further asserted that “democracy is stronger when every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to participate in shaping its future.”
He urged PWDs across the state to cooperate with the commission to remove avoidable barriers, promote electoral awareness and encourage peaceful participation.
The state Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Oluwaranti Abiodun, commended INEC for giving special consideration to PWDs ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Abiodun urged the electoral body to give priority to the plights of Persons with Disabilities when planning its activities towards the conduct of the elections.
He demanded that more consideration should be given to eligible PWDs who are interested in working as ad-hoc staff.
He also called on members of the association to support INEC and be ready to perform their civic responsibilities during the 2027 elections. (NAN)
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